Everton snub shows Lukaku's Chelsea career is over

FT Desk

• 1 May 2022 16:11 BST
• 3 min read

Romelu Lukaku didn't even get off the bench as Chelsea lost 1-0 to relegation-threatened Everton. His career at Stamford Bridge looks to be over.

Lukaku was re-signed by Chelsea at the start of the season amid much fanfare, the Belgian looking the finished article after 64 goals in 95 games in two seasons with Inter Milan, and money well spent, even at €116m.

READ MORE: ‘I will boycott Barcelona if they sign Lukaku’

But it simply hasn't worked out. Kai Havertz emerged as a False 9 of some aplomb last season, and scored the winning goal in the UEFA Champions League final against Manchester City. Thomas Tuchel threw his fellow German in again against Everton, even though there was nothing to play for.

Lukaku hasn't scored in 2022

Lukaku's goal return gives Tuchel all the justification he needs. The striker has only managed five goals in the Premier League, the last one coming in a 1-1 draw with Brighton in December. Game-time may impact his return, but when his minutes are factored in, Lukaku has taken 265 per goal in the English top flight.

Lukaku did little to merit further inclusion following the 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Thursday, even if he did only have 20 minutes to impress after coming on for Havertz, who had assisted Marcos Alonso's opener.

"He's come on against Man United, he was here, so you think, 'I'll show them my qualities'," an outraged Ro¥ Kean said on Sky Sports. "He came on and again, just ambling along, not that determination to get himself a goal. As much as his fitness levels, I think his attitude doesn't seem right."

Is Keane right? Well, season-wide Lukaku is in the bottom 20 percent for pressures from the front in the Premier League, while his average of 13 passes completed per match tell you how limited his build-up play has been.

Such numbers on and off the ball could be forgivable if Lukaku was banging in the goals. But he isn't, and Chelsea will be very lucky to recoup even half the fee they paid for the 28-year-old if reported interest from Barcelona is to be believed.